Report #156804000: Aniblog Tourney Round 3

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TOP SECRET – FOR GIN’S EYES ONLY

Subject: The Progress of the Detective Duo known as the Reverse Thieves in the Aniblog Tourney.

Briefing: It seems that despite the combined efforts of various low-level agents of the Organization, Hisui and Narutaki have progressed to the third round of the Aniblog Tourney. Our attempt to kidnap Kohaku in hopes of using her as leverage to force the Reverse Thieves out of the tournament merely lost us the lives and more importantly the resources of ten skilled agents. The three assassins we sent after Narutaki were equally ineffectual and have aroused his suspicions more than before.

My cover is still intact despite a close call in Berlin. I cannot observe them too closely or I will surely compromise my surveillance. I have filed the following information on their former cases in hopes that there is some clue to their weaknesses within: The Reverse Thieves Dossier for the Aniblog Tournament

Conclusion: I fear that every report puts them one step closer to uncovering the truth. It is my opinion that only you can dispatch these two meddlesome gumshoes. The longer they are in the tournament the greater the chance they will discover our involvement in the proceedings. We cannot assume that no matter how well camouflaged our involvement that detectives of their prowess will not discover something that would be detrimental to our overall goals.

Until your response I will send as many agents as possible to the Aniblog Tourney in order to thwart their efforts.

Here is the link to the voting for Round 3.

~Vermouth

Ongoing Investigations: Case #088

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I rewatched the beginning of the Raoh Gaiden TV series and then finished it off. It stays pretty much insane and hilarious all the way through as we learn the story of Raoh before the beginning of Fist of the North Star’s main plot. We follow him through his first upheaval and declaration as king as he builds an army, meets Kokuoh-go, imprisons Toki, and bests many foes. Though it doesn’t have as much fighting as you might imagine since Raoh pretty much wins every time within 5 seconds. The exception to this is the last fight between Raoh and Souther but clearly that can’t end with either one’s death! There are new characters for Raoh’s story including some love interests, yes for real, not that Raoh every engages in such romantic actions. This becomes doubly funny with the ending animation seemingly implying this series has a really romantic slant. Reina as one of the ladies is hard to swallow as never being talked about in earlier works considering she is both Raoh’s childhood friend and a general in his army. The series is about Raoh so of course it is entertaining and of course I enjoyed every minute, but I don’t think it will appeal to anyone who doesn’t already have this feeling in their heart!

hisuiconI decided watch one of the cornerstones of shojo history by taking on the 115 episode beast that is Candy Candy. After 25 episodes it is obvious why this is such an influential and celebrated work. Candy Candy is the story of the spirited tomboy Candice White who starts life as an orphan with nothing but her good nature to her name. She tries to keep in contact with her best friend Anne and find the Prince of the Hill who won her heart. She is thrown into adversity after adversity including the various machinations of the family that adopts her. Whenever it seems like the plot is going to drop into a predicable formula they will shake things up by doing something like sending Candy to Mexico. I have to say the end of this arc is quite surprising. If this is any sign of things to come I will say Candy Candy is anything but predictable. I feel a little bad for Archibald and Stear because they are really cool gentlemen who are obviously in love with Candy but everyone including them know they are always just going to be in the friend zone. I am very curious to see what the next 25 episodes have to offer.

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June’s Final Denouement: Not-America, you are the villain!

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SPOILERS FOR PLUTO


I finished Pluto rather recently and subsequently listened to a number of podcasts about the series. The series has a number of twists and turns in its narrative as well as a bevy of themes and symbolism to discuss if you so desire. As Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki made the story their own they modernized it in many ways while also maintaining many of the messages of old. One of the things that everyone seems to recognize but I haven’t heard as much discussion on is the new and very clear anti-American view presented in the thinly veiled guise of Thracia that wasn’t in the original story.

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